Playing at a real table

Lesson 22 of 23 · The real casino · 6 min read

Buy-in, signals, cards and courtesy.

Before you sit. Read the felt and the sign. Check the table minimum, the Trips paytable (lesson 19), and any side bets and their tables. Most UTH tables have a minimum from $10 to $25 per Ante. Remember that your first bet is really Ante + Blind, so a $15 table needs $30 for every hand plus up to $60 more for a raise.

Buying in. Wait until a hand is over, put your cash on the felt (not in the dealer's hand) and say "change, please". The dealer will slide you chips.

Betting. Put equal chips in Ante and Blind, plus Trips if you want it, before the dealer starts the deal. When you raise, place chips in the Play circle: 4x or 3x preflop, 2x on the flop, 1x on the river.

Signals.

• Check: tap the table with your finger.
• Bet: place chips in Play. Don't announce a bet and then hesitate.
• Fold (river only): slide your cards face down toward the dealer.

Cards. Keep your two cards on the table, in view of the dealer. Most casinos don't let players share or show their hole cards to each other, because other players' cards would be information about the deck. Look at yours, then leave them face down.

Phones and strategy cards. Many casinos are fine with a printed strategy card at the table, but not with phones or devices during a hand. Practise in Drill before you go, and ask the dealer if you're unsure.

Courtesy. Act when it's your turn, and keep the pace up. If you want to tip, a small bet "for the dealer" placed next to your Ante or Trips is common and appreciated.

All 23 lessons